National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology & History
Houses the most wonderful array of historical artefacts dating from 7000BC to the 20th Century including the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and the Derrynaflan hoard.
Officially opened its doors to the public in August 1890. The building was designed by Thomas Newenham Deane and his son Thomas Manly Deane and has been described as ’an accomplished exercise in Victorian Palladianism’. The rotunda or entrance hall is 18 metres high and is decorated with classical columns of Irish marble. The rotunda opens onto a great central court and gallery. Exhibition rooms are located around the court on the ground floor and off the gallery on the first floor.
On the ground floor you can explore the tools and weapons of Prehistoric Ireland, a facscinating collection of gold jewellery inculding torcs, collar, earspools and lock rings in Or - Ireland’s Gold.
As you ascend the stairs to the first floor, you will discover Viking coins, silks and weapons alongside a slave chain and the Cross of Cong in Viking Ireland. You can explore life in Ireland from the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century to century to the Reformation with three different galleries, ’Power’, ’Work’ and ’Prayer’.
The museum also houses a rich collection of Egyptian material and an historical exhibition which deals with the political background and events which culminated in the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921.
Home to the Irish Antiquities Division of the National Museum. This division is responsible for the portable archaeological heritage of Ireland. In addition to managing the archaeological collections the staff are also charged with caring for the substantial Ethnographical, Classical and Egyptian collections.
With Temporary Exhibitions, Guided Tours and Education Resource Room and an excellent Education and Outreach programme, the National Museum of Ireland Archaeology and History is a recreational and educational way to explore Ireland’s rich heritage.
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